If I was in Hong Kong for just one day, I know exactly what I would do.

First thing in the morning, I’d take the cable car up the mountain to Victoria Peak to see a view of the city:

And get a green tea ice cream:

Then I’d head off to Hong Kong Park — and have a really lovely wander, enjoying the nature/urban combo:

I’d take a break with the turtles:

And really enjoy the pool of koi:

And maybe spy “Marie Antoinette” shooting a music video:

In the park, I’d pop into the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, and learn all about Chinese tea traditions:

Before popping next door for lunch at Lock Cha Tea House, a vegetarian dim sum restaurant:

I’d order a rose pu’er tea, because I got hooked on pu’er at Samovar in San Francisco — it’s a fermented tea that tastes pleasingly like dirt, with roses — I promise, you need to try it. It would be properly served with the clay pot, the bamboo tray, and the porcelain cup:

And then I’d order lunch — lots of small dishes that all add up to something delicious:

Turnip cakes for the gluten-eaters:

Oil-braised bamboo shoots with mushrooms and beans (from my journal: “OMG big spears of bamboo with edamame. LOVE” — this was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!):

Steamed savoury sticky rice in lotus leaf, filled with diced mushrooms (I’ve had these before, but didn’t know they could taste so good!):

Silky radish cakes:

Steamed pickled vegetables & mushroom buns for the gluten-eaters:

And steamed green squash dumplings with herbs:

And for dessert — glutinous flour dumplings filled with cashew and peanuts — they were sweet and sticky, and rolled in coconut flakes and reminded me of the Japanese sweets I had in San Francisco:

And something unlike anything I’ve ever had before — jasmine dumplings filled with a black sesame filling — they were sticky glutinous rice flour balls served in a bowl, floating in a jasmine tea:

Then I’d take the subway back to Kowloon:

And head out in the evening for a stroll along the harbourfront:

And down Nathan Road:

Before heading back to my hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Hong Kong, I simply cannot wait to come back to you. Total and absolute love.